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WHAT DOES ZINC DO TO OUR BODY?

WHAT IS ZINC?


Zinc is a nutrient that people need to stay healthy. Zinc is found in cells throughout the body. It helps the immune system fight off invading bacteria and viruses.
The body also need zinc to make proteins and DNA, the genetic material in all cells.
During pregnancy, infancy, and childhood, the body needs zinc to grow and develop properly.
Zinc also helps wounds to heal and is important for proper senses of tastes and smell.

zinc

HOW MUCH ZINC DO I NEED?

LIFE STAGE                                                                        RECOMMENDED AMOUNT/DAY

Birth to 6 months                                                                    2mg
Infants 7 - 12 months                                                              3mg
Children 1 - 3 years                                                                 3mg
Children 4 - 8 years                                                                 5mg
Children 9 - 13 years                                                               8mg
Teens 14 - 18 years (boys)                                                      11mg
Teens 14 - 18 years (girls)                                                       9mg
Adults (men)                                                                           11mg
Adults (women)                                                                      8mg
Pregnant Teens                                                                       12mg
Pregnant women                                                                     11mg            
Breastfeeding Teens                                                                13mg
Breastfeeding womens                                                            12mg

FOODS THAT PROVIDE ZINC

Zinc is found in variety of foods like;

  • Oysters, which are the best source of zinc.
  • Red meat, poultry, seafood such as crab and lobster , and fortified breakfast cereals , which are also good source of zinc.
  • Beans , nuts , whole grains , and dairy products provide some zinc.
Zinc is present in almost all multivitamin/mineral dietary supplements. It is also available alone or combined with calcium, magnesium , or other ingredients in dietary supplements.

Zinc is also found in some oral over the counter products including those labeled as homeopathic medications for colds. Use of nasal sprays and gels that contain zinc has been associated with the loss of the sense of smell,  in some cases long lasting or permanent.

Zinc is also present in some denture adhesive creams.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T GET ENOUGH ZINC?

Zinc deficiency can cause slow growth in infants and children, delayed sexual development in adolescent and impotence in men.
zinc deficiency also causes hair loss, diarrhoea, eye and skin sores and loss of apetite. weight loss, problems with wound healing , decreased ability to taste food and lower alertness levels can also occur.

CAN ZINC BE HARMFUL?

Signs of too much zinc include nausea, vomiting, loss of apetite, stomach cramps, diarrhea and headaches. when people take too much zinc for a long time , they sometimes have problem such as low copper levels , lower immunity and low levels of HDL cholesterol.

 


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